Publications

Disaggregation of the seismic hazard has become a popular technique to convey information on the main sources contributing to the hazard at a particular site. Recently published work adopts geographic disaggregation analysis of seismic hazard as a tool to identify dominant rupture scenarios for municipalities in Mainland Portugal. The authors conclude that the seismic hazard in South and Central Portugal is dominated by the seismicity that takes place offshore, around 70km WSW of Cape S. Vicente, both for the return periods of 475 years and 975 years. Whilst recognizing the merits of the approach taken and the utility of the tools developed, we take issue with this last conclusion.We consider that the proposed disaggregation returns a picture of the biases in the hazard analysis, more than any real feature of the distribution of relevant seismogenic sources.

Ao longo da sua história, a cidade de Lisboa tem sofrido os efeitos devastadores de diversos sismos que foram responsáveis por danos e perdas relevantes no seu parque edificado e seus habitantes. Os objectivos do presente artigo englobam a identificação, a análise e a avaliação do risco sísmico deste concelho, cumprindo-se, desta forma, algumas das etapas do processo de gestão do risco. Efectuou-se a análise de risco para uma perigosidade sísmica regida por mais do que um cenário probabilístico de ocorrência de sismos. Para o efeito, caracterizou-se a perigosidade sísmica das 53 freguesias de Lisboa, considerando dois cenários de ocorrência construídos sobre os mesmos pressupostos em que se fundamentou a acção sísmica que serviu de base ao Anexo Nacional do Eurocódigo 8. Avaliou-se ainda a exposição do parque habitacional e habitantes deste concelho, classificou-se e caracterizou-se a vulnerabilidade sísmica dos elementos expostos, traçaram-se as curvas de risco sísmico para a cidade de Lisboa e estimaram-se os valores esperados anuais das perdas económicas e sociais nas freguesias desta cidade. Da análise efectuada ressalta que as perdas totais são condicionadas essencialmente pelo cenário de acção sísmica próximo, que as freguesias mais antigas são aquelas em que o risco relativo esperado anual é mais elevado e que as freguesias responsáveis pelos maiores valores de risco absoluto são as que apresentam a vulnerabilidade sísmica mais elevada e os maiores valores de exposição.A apreciação do risco sísmico efectuada para Lisboa permite concluir que o risco de morte anual devido a sismos a que os habitantes desta cidade estão expostos se situa na zona ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable).

Decisions to mitigate seismic risk require a consistent approach to evaluate the effects of future earthquakes on population, on civil engineering structures and infrastructures. The mathematical and probabilistic methods that are the support to those approaches are generally called Risk Analysis; in the particular case of seismic events and mitigation strategies it will be named Seismic Risk and Mitigation Analysis, SRMA. The paper will address the subject of estimating the seismic risk and evaluate mitigation strategies for the existing building stock of the metropolitan area of Lisbon by describing the methods and showing preliminary results obtained with LNECloss numerical tool. Even though such a sophisticated tool needs validation on some parameters to become more reliable, it is shown that it is possible to compare results of different mitigation strategies.

The paper addresses two complex case studies of modal and structural identification of monuments in Portugal: the Clock Tower of Mogadouro and the Church of Jero´nimos Monastery, in Lisbon. These are being monitored by University of Minho with vibration, temperature and relative air humidity sensors. Operational modal analysis is being used to estimate the modal parameters, followed by statistical analysis to evaluate the environmental effects on the dynamic response. The aim is to explore damage assessment in masonry structures at an early stage by vibration signatures, as a part of a health monitoring process that helps in the preservation of historical constructions. The paper presents the necessary preliminary dynamic analysis steps before the monitoring task, which includes installation of the monitoring system, system identification and subsequent FE model updating analysis, automatic modal identification and investigation of the influence of the environment on the identified modal parameters.

Probabilistic seismic hazard for Mainland Portugal was re-evaluated in order to perform its disaggregation. Seismic hazard was disaggregated considering different spaces ofrandom variables, namely, univariate conditional hazard distributions of M (magnitude), R (source-to-site distance) and

Probabilistic seismic hazard for Mainland Portugal was re-evaluated in order to perform its disaggregation. Seismic hazardwas disaggregated considering different spaces of random variables, namely, univariate conditional hazard distributions of M (magnitude), R (source-to-site distance) and

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Decisions to mitigate seismic risk require a consistent approach to evaluate the effects of future earthquakes on population, on civil engineering structures and infrastructures.The mathematical and probabilistic methods that are the support to those approaches are generally called Risk Analysis; in the particular case of seismic events andmitigation strategies it will be named Seismic Risk and Mitigation Analysis, SRMA. The paper will address the subject of estimating the seismic risk and evaluate mitigation strategies for the existing building stock of the metropolitan area of Lisbon by describing the methods and showing preliminary results obtained with LNECloss numerical tool. Even though such a sophisticated tool needs validation on some parameters to become more reliable, it is shown that it is possible to compare results of different mitigation strategies.

This paper describes the shaking table tests, and their main results, of an asymmetric limestone masonry building, under different reinforcement conditions. The work was performed in the aim of the project

No âmbito de um projecto denominado

The boundary conditions between the tested structures and the platform of a large shaking table are a major parameter for the design and numerical analyses of shaking table tests. A foremost attention is given to the design of the foundation and anchorage of the structure. All analyses are made considering a completely rigid shaking table: rigid actuators and rigid platform. However, since quite a long time, the shaking table / structure interaction has been clearly observed (Blondet and Esparza, 1988) when analysing the shaking table / actuators interaction, depending on the control tuning. In CEA Saclay, during the last 15 years, decreases of mock-up frequencies between calculations and experimental tests of massive structures have been observed: CASSBA, CAMUS 1 to 4, CAMUS 2000 (Combescure and Ragueneau, 2002) and more recently SMART. For a long time it has been calculated, after tests, the global stiffness that the

The collaborative research project ERSTA (Estudo do Risco Sísmico e de Tsunamis do Algarve), supported by ANPC (Autoridade Nacional de Protecção Civil), as given rise to a series of new developments, namely therevised seismic catalogue from IM (Instituto de Meteorologia) and the redrawing of new seismogenic zones affecting the Algarve region. It is therefore relevant to review the parameters of the Gutenberg-Richtermagnitude-frequency relation, intending to perform a future revision of the probabilistic seismic hazard analysisof the region and its disaggregation. The parameters of the Gutenberg-Richter magnitude-frequency relationships for the new seismogenic zones (IM, 2008) were estimated for unequal observation periods fordifferent magnitude ranges - determined through the analysis of the completeness of the seismic catalogue from IM - using the maximum likelihood method (Weichert, 1980).

Latest COVICOCEPAD developments

The paper contributes to an assessment of the uncertainties involved in the use of current loss modeling methodologies when applied to the estimation of building damage and casualty generation in urban areas. The work derives from studies conducted within the EU-funded LESSLOSS project with the aim of providing a basis for urban planning authorities methods to assess alternative mitigation strategies. Research teams in Istanbul, Thessaloniki and Lisbon developed methods applicable to their own city and building stock. A benchmarking study was then carried out to compare the results of the three approaches when applied to a standardized

This paper presents the results of shaking table tests performed on two full-scale masonry houses typical from North-European countries. The main objective of the study was to assess the seismic behavior of such houses for situations of low to moderate seismicity, as well as to evidence the efficiency of some reinforcing details. Themain outcomes are that the value of the behavior factor ("q") for unreinforced masonry and the value of the limitslenderness of masonry panels adjacent to openings proposed by Eurocode 8 are confirmed by the experimentalresults. Furthermore, the devices proposed to improve the seismic behavior are found efficient for limiting the damages in the range of seismicity level for which they are intended but have no impact on the global collapse limitstate.

Traditional design approaches usually consider seismic actions as equivalent static actions. Recent research has shown that adopting a dynamic approach where the real characteristics of seismic actions are taken into account may lead to reach significant behavior improvements. The inclusion of energy dissipation passive devices is nowadays seen as an effective way of improving structures protection towards seismic actions. A significant number of this kind of devices is already placed in real structures all over the world.Vibration mitigation of the seismic actions imposed to the structures is being more and more taken into account in structures design. In order to get more effective systems, structure

Double-skin facade is an architectural/engineering solution developed from the need to increase comfort in buildings with full glazed facades. The actual concept of holistic approaches to the building energy system considers DSF as an element of an Advanced Integrated Facade. DSF were developed for colder climates and uncertainty remains on their applicability to warmer areas. Moreover there is a need for data under post-occupancy buildings in order to properly evaluate how they work from comfort and energy use points of view and to improve and validate models and predictions from design tools. Double skin facades (DSF) may show different layouts, flow path or type of ventilation (natural, mechanical or hybrid). In order to evaluate the thermal behaviour of such a facade LNEC (39º N) assembled a south facing test facility allowing changing among some of the possible configurations. Being a reversible flow type of DSF it means that it is possible to test configurations such as (according to the classification established within the IEA ANNEX 44 (Marques da Silva and Gosselin, 2006)): Outdoor Air Curtain (OAC); Indoor Air Curtain (IAC); Exhaust Air (EA), or; Supply Air (SA). It is also possible to use any kind of ventilation type, the layout being established as a box window (BW) or, as a limit, a Buffer (Bf) configuration. Some of these DSF configurations have been tested by others authors through either test cells experiments (Saelens, 2002) or field monitoring (Corgnati et al.,2003; Marques da Silva et al., 2005, 2006, 2008

A wide experimental campaign on transparent advanced integrated façades with a mechanically, naturally andhybrid ventilated air gap has been carried out both at the Department of Energetics at Politecnico di Torino and at Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) in Lisbon. Measurements were performed by means of: - the TWINS (Testing Window INnovative Systems); test facility, at Politecnico di Torino; the reversible flow type DSF test cell, at LNEC. At Politecnico di Torino a mechanically ventilated climate façade and a hybrid ventilated DSF with an outdoor air curtain ventilation scheme have been investigated. At LNEC a naturally ventilated DSF with different ventilation schemes (outdoor air curtain, indoor air curtain, exhaust air, supply air or, as a limit, a buffer configuration) has been tested. The energy efficiency and thermal comfort implications of these different types of advanced integrated façade have been evaluated. Theimprovement of performance by varying configurations and operative conditions has also been investigated.

The development of the Portuguese National Annexes of Eurocode 8 required the definition of a seismic zonation for Portugal. The goal of this paper is to present the applied methodology to perform the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) and to obtain seismic zonation for Portugal Mainland, Azores and Madeira Archipelagos. Similarly to the Portuguese code presently enforce (RSA, 1983), two scenarios were considered in PSHA computation: (i) a scenario labeled seismic action 1, characterizing earthquakes with their epicenters mainly offshore and (ii) a scenario labeled seismic action 2, referring to events with their epicenters mainly inland. The model of gross-source zones and the parameters defining seismic occurrence process in each source zone, like the Poissonian process and the exponential distribution of magnitudes, was adapted from Sousa (1996). Two different spectral attenuation laws were applied, consistent with the two above mentioned seismic scenarios, namely: (i) a recent regional attenuation law derived for Portuguese seismotectonic environment, based on a finite fault non-stationary stochastic seismological model calibrated for the region (Carvalho et al., 2008), valid for seismic action 1 and (ii) the Ambraseys et al. (1996) model, valid for seismic action 2. The PSHA was performed for all Portuguese counties and for the 475 years return period. The correspondent hazard map was used as the basis for seismic zonation. Portuguese counties were sorted according to their Housner intensity, which was used as a criterion to classify each county in a pre-defined number of seismic zones.

One of the goals of the COVICOCEPAD project is to develop a mathematical model of tuned liquid dampers (TLD) devices. This new model will take into account the damping forces resisting the actions resulting from the viscous interactions between the liquid and its rigid container, the hydrodynamic head losses subsequent to orifices passing and the internal viscosity of the liquid. To calibrate the mathematical models full scale tests on shaking table are being performed. A performance evaluation of the TLD devices will be accomplished by the comparison between the behaviour of a specific structure with and without passive protection. This work addresses on the possibility of exploiting the liquid sloshing motion in tanks for specific vibration control purposes of civil engineering structures. Analytical, numerical and experimental issues are referred and the test steel frame is presented.

This book presents a selection of the best papers from the HEaRT 2015 conference, held in Lisbon, Portugal, which provided a valuable forum for engineers and architects, researchers and educators to exchange views and findings concerning the technological history, construction features and seismic behavior of historical timber-framed walls in the Mediterranean countries. The topics covered are wide ranging and include historical aspects and examples of the use of timber-framed construction systems in response to earthquakes, such as the gaiola system in Portugal and the Bourbon system in southern Italy; interpretation of the response of timber-framed walls to seismic actions based on calculations and experimental tests; assessment of the effectiveness of repair and strengthening techniques, e.g., using aramid fiber wires or sheets; and modelling analyses. In addition, on the basis of case studies, a methodology is presented that is applicable to diagnosis, strengthening and improvement of seismic performance and is compatible with modern theoretical principles and conservation criteria. It is hoped that, by contributing to the knowledge of this construction technique, the book will help to promote conservation of this important component of Europe

The applications of discrete elements models based on rigid block formulations to the analysis of masonry walls under horizontal out-of-plane loading is simplified block pattern are addressed. Two procedures for creating irregular block systems are presented, one using Voronoi polygons, the other based on a bed and cross joint structure with random deviations. A test problem provides a comparison of various regular and random block patterns, showing their influence on the failure loads. The estimation of manual frequencies of rigid block models, and its application to static pushover analyses, is addressed. An example of application of rigid block model to wall capacity problem is presented.

The overall aim of Sub-Project 10 (Earthquake disaster scenario predictions and loss modelling for urban areas) has been to create a tool, based on state-of-the-art loss modelling software, to provide strong, quantified statements about the benefits of a range of possible mitigation actions, in order to support decision-making by urban authorities for seismic risk mitigation strategies. A further larger aim has been to contribute to a seismic risk mitigation policy for future implementation at European level. Among the European cities for which loss estimation studies have been carried out are Istanbul, Lisbon and Thessaloniki, and tools, using GIS mapping, have been developed by research teams in each of these cities; these were made available for further development to examine mitigation strategies within SP10. Related research studies

Much work in Earthquake Engineering was devoted to the improvement of earthquake resistant design of new structures. One European result is EN 1998, which will be in several years the main seismic code for all European countries. But it is well known, that older existing structures cause in many large earthquakes much more casualties and damages than new structures. It is certainly not possible to retrofit all existing structures, but agreement exists, that assessment and retrofit of safety - critical - structures and lifeline structures must have priority. In September 2004 the European Integrated Research Project LESSLOSS on Risk Mitigation for Earthquakes and Landslides was started. The project will run for three years and comprises 13 Sub-Projects (SP´s). The consortium consists of 46 partners (see http:\\www.lessloss.org). LESSLOSS SP5 is on In-situ Assessment, Monitoring and Typification of buildings and Infrastructure. The project partners of SP5 are ARS, CESI, LNEC, RWTH and VCE. This Sub Project focuses mainly on the assessment of important existing structures and tries to integrate experimental methods into the assessment procedure. The progress of SP5 obtained in the first year is summarized in this paper. Highlights presented by all partners are mentioned and the assessment of Hospital Innsbruck is presented in more detail. The most innovative task of LESSLOSS/ SP5 is Update of vulnerability estimates via monitoring, which was also started in the first year.

In order to study the behavior of bridge structures in relation to traffic, wind and seismic loads, it is extremely important to know their actual dynamic properties (natural frequencies, vibration mode shapes and damping). The experimentally identified dynamic properties of bridge structures are also an effective way to characterize their actual global structural behavior. Whether included in the reception load tests of recently built bridges, before they are opened to the traffic, or as part of the inspection works of bridges already in service, LNEC has performed modal analysis studies based on the results of ambient vibration tests. Some of the studies carried out recently in important bridges are reported in this paper.

O sismo de Northridge ocorreu na parte norte da área metropolitana de Los Angeles, Califórnia, às 4:31 h do dia 17 de janeiro, uma segunda-feira coincidente com dia de feriado nacional, tendo atingindo uma magnitude de 6.6 na escala de Richter. O número total de vítimas mortais cifra-se em 57, havendo para cima de 8 000 feridos e 20 000 desalojados.As estimativas de perdas totais, feitas em meados de fevereiro de 1994, apontavam para valores de 15 biliões de US dólares, tendo o Estado da Califórnia apresentado um impacto económico total de ordem dos 30 biliões de dólares, perto do valor do Orçamento Geral do estado Português para 1994. Os prejuízos infligidos na indústria e no comércio são também surpreendentemente elevados, exigindo longos períodos de interrupção das atividades económicas.

Communicating science within disaster risk reduction using methods that encourage two-way dialogue between scientists and laypersons is a challenging task. This paper aims at presenting a methodological strategy of communicating risk and non-structural seismic protection measures through participatory approach. Such methodological strategy is part of a pilot experience of risk communication in two schools in Lisbon (Portugal) under the EU project KnowRISK (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements). The efficacy of education for seismic safety is often inhibited by an incomplete understanding of the process by which individuals decide to protect themselves from harm (Becker JS, Paton D,Johnston DM, Ronan KR. Nat Hazards 64(1):107

Most of the Lisbon 18th century timber-framed masonry

Good performance of non-structural elements can be decisive in saving lives and costs when an earthquake strikes. The European project KnowRISK aims to educate and encourage households to take the necessary precautionary measures to protect people, houses, and contents. Preparedness and prevention act on community resilience. Within the KnowRISK project, the idea of a Practical Guide has been conceived suggesting seismic mitigation solutions for non-structural components to non-experts stakeholders. It is intended to guide people into the first steps of prevention in a straightforward manner, minimizing or avoiding injuries, damage, and long-term financial consequences. The novelty of the Guide belongs to his philosophy: a path through increasing challenges corresponds to a growing level of safety. The idea is that anyone can mitigate seismic risk in its own environment by adopting simple and low cost measures. The Practical Guide may contribute to increase risk awareness. This kind of initiatives if undertaken at larger scales may also enhance social resilience.

When one of the dimensions of a structural member is not clearly larger than the two orthogonal ones, engineers are usually compelled to simulate it with refined meshes of shell or solid finite elements that typically impose a large computational burden. The alternative use of classical beam theories, either based on Euler-Bernoulli or Timoshenko

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This text reflects the first of the four lectures that the author has presented at Udine, Italy, at CISM

Um dos principais problemas e interesses da engenharia sísmica é a caracterizaçãoda acção sísmica, envolvendo a estimativa da intensidade, conteúdo em frequência,duração e variabilidade espacial dos movimentos intensos do solo mais gravosos, emtermos dos seus efeitos nas estruturas, que pode ocorrer num local.O presente trabalho de investigação desenvolve e aplica a metodologia estocástica etécnicas de modelação de fonte

Os sismos são encarados frequentemente como desastres naturais inevitáveis. Todavia,deveriam ser considerados fenómenos naturais, cujos efeitos adversos podem ser minimizadoscaso se proceda a uma gestão efectiva do risco sísmico.O objectivo principal do presente trabalho de investigação é o de avaliar o risco sísmicoem Portugal Continental.Sendo um tema de natureza multidisciplinar, apresentam-se e discutem-se modelos deavaliação probabilística da perigosidade sísmica e sua desagregação, de vulnerabilidade efragilidade sísmicas de tipologias construtivas, de danos e de perdas económicas e humanas.Aplica-se a análise probabilística da perigosidade sísmica, e sua desagregação, aPortugal Continental, obtendo-se cenários modais capazes de reproduzir os níveis deperigosidade que os condicionam. Apresenta-se o inventário do parque habitacional e seushabitantes, descriminado por factores de vulnerabilidade, e classifica-se a sua vulnerabilidadesegundo os modelos de dano. Procede-se à actualização e aferição de uma metodologia parasimulação de cenários sísmicos, integrada num Sistema de Informação Geográfico. Avalia-seo risco sísmico, seguindo diversas abordagens, comparando-se os resultados com o risco deoutros países.Construiu-se assim uma ferramenta de avaliação de perdas devidas a sismos, queconstitui uma primeira contribuição para o desenvolvimento de um processo de gestão dorisco sísmico aplicado ao Continente Português.

O parque habitacional de Portugal Continental contém algumas tipologias construtivas deelevada vulnerabilidade sísmica em relação às quais urge actuar no sentido de reduzir o riscosísmico a elas associado. No projecto de investigação

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This report addresses the National Laboratory for Civil Engineering (LNEC) participation in Subproject 10 Earthquake disaster scenario predictions and loss modelling for urban areas. More precisely this report was developed in order to accomplish the 24 months LESSLOSS deliverable nº 85, which achieves loss estimates for the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon (MAL), for pre-defined scenarios earthquake. These loss estimations represent the reference situation to be compared with revised loss estimates after implementing mitigation actions with the ultimate goal of being established, in the next deliverable, the

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The present report describes the construction of a model in limestone masonry for the user Group 3 oh the ECOLEADER Project, led by IRIDEX Construction Group, and the first phase of the experimental program developed in LNEC. The description of the construction, a photographic report and the results obtained on the characteristics tests made on the mortars used in the construction are presented.The construction was carried out by contractor José dos Santos Paixão on the basics of model details and materials specifications proposed by the User group 3, being NESDE/LNEC responsible for the guidance and supervision of the works.

This report describes the first phase activity of the Portuguese group in the Precast Structures EC8 research projet. The Portuguese group is composed by Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) and the Civibral, S.A. Precast Company.In this phase, seismic test were made in the LNEC

The present report addresses the first twelve months of LNEC participation in LESSLOSS

The dynamics of rigid bodies was studies by long time, because this phenomenon is important in the seismic security of some types of structures. However, there are few experimental studies. This job shows the experimental test carried out at the Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) of Portugal. Four blue granites stones were tested, each one with different geometrical characteristics, under harmonic and random motions.A numerical simulation was carried out with the Discrete Element Method (DEM). This method has shown to be a good tool in the study of the dynamics of rigid bodies. It was proposed a new methodology to find the parameters of the DEM by using the parameters of classical theory.

The project LESSLOSS

Análise dos registos históricos de eventos climáticos e o seu impacto no setor da energia da AML, para identificar o grau em que este setor foi afetado por estímulos relacionados com o clima. Avaliação de capacidades adaptativas.

Análise da forma das edificações nas ações do vento

As condicionantes arquitetónicas e de urbanização na ventilação natural

Caracterização do vento. Ações sobre estruturas. Ensaios em túnel de vento